Mark of a Killer Season 3 Episode 7 The Grim Sleeper

In Mark of a Killer season 3 episode 7 titled "The Grim Sleeper," viewers are taken through the investigation of a serial killer who terrorized Los Angeles for over two decades. The episode begins with the discovery of a young woman's body in a South Central alleyway in 1987. Investigating officers notice similarities between this case and several others that have occurred in the area - all young women, mostly African American, found shot or strangled. The perpetrator seems to have a pattern and continues to elude authorities.

The killer becomes known as the Grim Sleeper due to his long hiatuses of inactivity between murders. Even with a team of detectives from various departments working around the clock, the killer remains at large for decades. However, in the mid-2000s, advancements in forensic technology help bring the case back into the spotlight.

Detectives begin reviewing old evidence, particularly the photos of unknown women found in the suspect's home. They release the pictures to the media, hoping to identify and locate any survivors or witnesses. A woman who had been attacked by the Grim Sleeper in the 1980s recognizes his face from the photos and contacts the police. The images of the unknown women also yielded other promising results when family members came forward to identify them as their missing loved ones.

In 2010, the breakthrough they had been waiting for arrives. DNA from the Grim Sleeper is linked to his close relative, who had been convicted for a felony. With this lead, detectives are able to track down Lonnie Franklin Jr., a former city employee, married man, and the father of two children, to his home. There, they gather additional evidence, such as bullets and clothing, to strengthen their case against him. But unlike most suspects, Franklin doesn't go quietly. He is hostile and refuses to cooperate with police, even going as far as to chew on a piece of paper when asked for a DNA swab.

"The Grim Sleeper" is not an easy episode to watch. The victims' families are interviewed, and their accounts are heart-wrenching. Mothers, sisters, and friends recount the lives of the young women lost to the Grim Sleeper's evil deeds. Viewers are shown photos and videos of the victims, bringing them to life and making their deaths all the more tragic. Moreover, the police officers who worked tirelessly on the case speak candidly about the toll it took on them. They recount how they would go to sleep at night thinking about the case and wake up thinking about the case, the horrors they saw as they investigated.

The Grim Sleeper was one of the most prolific and disturbing serial killers in Los Angeles history. The captivating narration of the episode paired with the modern animations, crime scene footage, and interviews with the detectives who finally caught him is outstanding. This episode will keep viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.